The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-01-20
HADEN AND HIS DOGS.

How They Saved an Alabama settlement
From the Indians.
twas in the August of 1918. In that
part Of the country now known as Ala
bama, there came to the settlers who
had made their homes near where the
Alabama and Tombigbce rivers meet,
on beautiful summer day, news which
filled them with CONSERVATION. The
second war with Great Britain was
going on, and British agents had at last
persuaded the Creek Indians to join
them. These Creeks were half-civilized,
but as savage in their mode of warfare
as the most barbarous tribes. To be
allies of Great Britain meant to destroy
all the white settlements in the South
west.
On the 8Oth Of August-and this Is
matter o. history-John Wilson, set
tier on tie Tombigbee, rode rapidly up
to his home. His wife, who was she'll
ing peas on the porch, looked up in as
tonishment-
what on earth is the matter, Johnp"
she cried. "Where's the load of wood
you and Harry went forp"
Don't worry about load of wood,
Milly," he said; and looking at him,
she saw he was troubled and anxious.
you've got to think of something be-
sides wood. Harry'll be here in min
ute. Get little Molly ready, and pack
up what food there is in the house
nothing else. We must get away from
here in few minutes. Them red devils
is let loose again."
1.-The injuns!'' she faltered, turning
white with terror.
"'Yes, they've jined the Britishers.
Red Eagle has taken Fort Minis He
had q thousand warriors. and our people
fought for FIVE hours desperately. It
wasn't of any use, though. Five hun
dred men, women and children were
massacred. Our turn will come next,
if we stay here. You must hurry.
Here's Harry. We're going to the stock
ade at Sinquefied, and must get there
before night. Ike Haden is going with
u.s."
'.What will he do with his Sixty
houndsp" Mrs. Wilson asked, as she
made her scanty preparations, and tied
Molly's sun-bonnet over her tangled
white locks.
swell, / reckon he'd sooner stay
and take his chances with the savages
than part with one of them. He's a
good boy, but them fierce brutes of his
are a nuisance sometimes. They would
tear man to n,ince-meat before he
could say Jack Robinson If Ike told
'em to do it But he keeps them in
order, must say, and they'rs handy in
getting up the neighbors' stock, and
killing wild meat when we're short of
food. Come, it's time to be off,"
As the Wilson family moved rapsdly
through the settlement, they were
joined by other families, and among
them by Ike Haden. stalwart young
man, with bronzcd face and keen
blue eyes. His army Of dogs was with
him, almost filing up the road. Not q
single white soul was left in the settle
ment by ten o'clock that morning. The
way was clear, for not an Indian was
eeen, and near sunset the travellers
were within two miles Of the fort.
There tho team of the Hood family gave
out. 1t was large family, numbering
seventeen, mostly women and children,
and old William Hood proposed camp
ing there for the night YOU'D better
not, Neighb0r Hood" Ike Haden said
to him. ut would be safer to push
those animals little further. They'll
hold out for two miles. l reckon.
Youth get to the fort late. but I'll stay
behind with you till we get there"
There isn't a bit of danger here" :"
Hood answered. 'My cattle are dead
beat, and I'm dead beat myself. We
amt seed trail of the Injuns since we
started, and we're SO near the fort that
feel Just as safe as il was there"
"But half mile from fort, with
Indians around. is as bad as twenty"
persisted Ike Haden. "Don't be SO
stubborn. Neighbor Hood. with all
these women and children on your
hands"
"You needn't talk about bcin' stub
born. young man." Hood answered,
angrily. We've all talked enough to
you about them ravenin' wolves you've
got yelpin' around. Why. man. I'd as
soon be brute myself as consort with
'em ~ You do. That was the way with
your father before you. That's the
reason he didn't have nothin' to leave
you but them brutes. Farm, stock,
every thing. melted away in keepin' up
his pack"
'rve heard that . thousand times,
Neighbor Hood" Haden answered,
with hot, angry flush on his dark
cheeks. land don't like 1t any better
from hearing It 20 often. It's an un-
grateful speech. anyway. for my dogs
almost provide the settlement with ven
ison and game when it's needed, and
they amt beholden to you for keeping
them" Az he rides of. we will take
good look Ut him, for this story would
never have been written had it not
been for Ike Haden and his dogs.
He was only eighteen, although he
looked several years older. Thee keen
eyes Of his took in every thing at a
glance. and his Judgment. II swift. was
remarkably good. Brave a. the brav-
est, his. clear, cool head decided rap
idly, and then took every risk. In spite
Of his youth. he was considered one of
the most intelligent and trusty men,
bexs of thu little community. People